Weather in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne: Dangerous storms hit four Australian states

Heavy rain, dangerous “supercell” storms, destructive winds, flash floods and hail threaten to dampen Easter holiday plans along Australia’s east coast this long weekend.

Severe thunderstorms will hit parts of Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria on Good Friday, which is said to be one of the busiest days of the year on roads and airports.

It is the result of a low-pressure system moving eastward, creating a “fickle weather pattern” that stretches from central Queensland down the coast to Victoria.

Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne will all be in the firing line of the wild weather.

Australia’s east coast will be in the line of fire from severe thunderstorms on Good Friday. The worst affected areas are red

“[There is]a chance of very dangerous supercells as people take to the streets for the long weekend,” Weatherzone said.

“An upper trough sweeping across south-east Australia on Friday will cause the atmosphere to become unstable and prepare for severe thunderstorms.”

It added that the wild weather could wreak havoc on flights during one of the busiest travel times of the year.

The most widespread and intense storms are expected to hit Friday afternoon and early evening.

“The areas where supercells are most likely to be seen are from central NSW to south-eastern Qld, covering the densely populated areas between Sydney and Brisbane,” Weatherzone added.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that heavy rain from the thunderstorms could cause flash flooding in some areas.

“There could also be large hail and wind gusts for NSW and Queensland,” meteorologist Sarah Scully said.

Australia’s east coast will be hit by rain and supercell storms on Friday

“Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across eastern and southern New South Wales on Friday, with the possibility of severe storms along the east coast and adjacent mountain ranges bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain.

“Showers are forecast in the south on Saturday, gathering on the mountain ranges on Sunday before becoming consistently dry on Monday.

“Dangerous surf conditions are forecast to develop on the south and central coasts throughout Sunday, extending to the north coast on Monday.”

The good news for Sydneysiders and Queenslanders is that the wild weather will be short-lived and will clear up over the weekend.

The weather outlook is not so promising for Melbourne, which is set to have its coldest Easter Sunday since 1946, with wet and windy conditions forecast.

On Friday, a combination of showers, possible storms and clouds will bring the chilly change, with daytime temperatures hovering around 20C, with the weekend only getting worse.

South to southwest winds will bring cold air through Melbourne, with daytime temperatures expected to reach around 18C on Saturday only, 15C on Sunday and 16C on Monday.

Across Bass Strait, Hobart is also in for a wet and miserable Easter, with temperatures set to peak at 13C on Sunday.

Heavy rain, supercell storms and destructive winds will hit the beaches before the wild weather clears up

“On Saturday evening, approaching Easter Sunday, we are seeing the coldest temperatures stretching across Tasmania, Victoria and parts of NSW,” Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Miriam Bradbury told Sunrise.

“High temperatures in these areas are generally expected to be less than 15C, so quite a chilly day.

“We’re also going to see some pretty strong winds hanging over those areas.”

South Australia is expected to suffer from wet, cold and windy weather on Friday and Saturday, with sunbursts on Sunday and Monday.

Elsewhere, Perth can look forward to a nice and sunny long weekend, while Darwin can expect storms and temperatures in the 30s.

Meteorologists have warned the wild weather could wreak havoc on travellers. Pictured: Travelers at Melbourne Airport